Sling retaining assembly and method of use

ABSTRACT

A sling retaining assembly for assisting the carrying of a plurality of devices on a single shoulder is provided. The sling retaining assembly includes a flexible body having an outer side, an under side, an aperture provided through the flexible body, and a self attachment assembly connected to the flexible body, wherein a first portion of the self attachment assembly is connected to the outer side of the flexible body and a second portion of the self attachment assembly is connected to the under side of the flexible body. A hook member is received by the aperture of the flexible body, the hook member having a first segment connected to a second segment, the first and second segments forming a retaining gap, wherein a portion of the flexible body is received by the retaining gap. In addition, a method of using the sling retaining assembly is also provided.

FIELD

The present invention relates to an assembly for attaching, carryingand/or retaining a shoulder mounted carrying device. The presentinvention more specifically relates to an assembly adapted to couple toa shoulder mounted strap and retain a portion of a shoulder mountedsling.

BACKGROUND

Individuals often desire to carry more than one device over a singleshoulder. For example, hunters, hikers, campers, soldiers, or outdoorenthusiasts may carry equipment or necessities while participating intheir respective activity. Often the equipment will be carried by aperson in multiple, separate devices. Further, often the multipledevices are carried about one or both shoulders of a person. Forexample, a hunter may carry a backpack having shoulder straps as a firstdevice and a firearm having a shoulder sling as a second device. Assuch, the person may carry multiple devices on a single shoulder.Unfortunately, carrying multiple devices on a single shoulder can leadto difficulties, including difficulty maintaining both devices on asingle shoulder, potential damage to one or more of the devices due tothe inadvertent or unwanted dropping of one or more of the devices, orpotential injury to the person (e.g. due to the inadvertent or unwanteddropping of one or more of the devices).

SUMMARY

In view of the difficulties of carrying multiple devices on a singleshoulder, it would be desirable to provide an assembly which would allowor assist a person to carry multiple devices on a single shoulder.Further, it would be desirable to have an assembly adapted to couple toa first device, such as the shoulder mounted strap of the first device.Further, it would be desirable to have an assembly with a retentionapparatus adapted to retain a second device, such as a sling or strap.

Accordingly, a sling retaining assembly or sling keeper and associatedmethod of use is provided.

The sling keeper includes a flexible body having an outer side, an underside, a self attachment assembly connected to the flexible body, anddefining an aperture provided through the flexible body, wherein a firstportion of the self attachment assembly is connected to the outer sideof the flexible body and a second portion of the self attachmentassembly is connected to the under side of the flexible body. A hookmember is at least partially received by the aperture defined by theflexible body, the hook member having a first segment connected to asecond segment, the first and second segments forming a retaining gap,wherein a portion of the flexible body is received by the retaining gap.

In addition, a sling retaining assembly adapted for helping carry aplurality of devices on a single shoulder of a person is provided. Thesling retaining assembly includes a flexible strip having a first sideand a second side. The flexible strip includes a body portion connectedto a first arm and a second arm, an aperture provided through anddefined by the body portion connecting the first side and second side,and a self attachment assembly having a first attachment portion and asecond attachment portion, the first attachment portion connected to thefirst side of the first arm and the second attachment portion connectedto the second side of the second arm. A hook member is received by theaperture of the flexible strip, the hook member having a first segmentconnected to a second segment to form a first pocket, wherein the firstpocket receives a portion of the body of the flexible strip.

A method of carrying a plurality of devices on a single shoulder of aperson is also provided. In the method, a sling retaining assembly isattached about a shoulder mounted strap of a first device by wrapping afirst arm of the sling retaining assembly about the shoulder mountedstrap of the first device, wrapping a second arm of the sling retainingassembly about the shoulder mounted strap of the first device, andengaging the self attachment assembly connecting the first arm andsecond arm. The shoulder mounted strap of the first device is thenplaced about a first shoulder of a person. The shoulder mounted carryingsling of a second device is then placed about the first shoulder of theperson. The shoulder mounted carrying sling of the second device engageswith the sling retaining assembly by placing the shoulder mountedcarrying sling of the second device into a first retaining gap of thesling retaining assembly formed by a first segment connected to a secondsegment of a hook member, such that the shoulder mounted carrying slingof the second device is retained between the first segment and aflexible body of the sling retaining assembly.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an isometric view of one or more examples of embodiments of asling retaining assembly.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a section of the sling retainingassembly of FIG. 1, taken along line 2-2 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a section of the sling retainingassembly of FIG. 1, illustrating engagement of the sling retainingassembly with a shoulder mounted strap.

FIG. 4 is an isometric view of one or more examples of embodiments of ahook portion of a sling retaining assembly.

FIG. 5 is an isometric view of the sling retaining assembly of FIG. 1,illustrating the sling retaining assembly coupled to a shoulder mountedstrap, shown as a backpack strap, and retaining a shoulder mountedcarrying device, shown as a firearm sling.

FIG. 6 is a side elevation view of the sling retaining assembly of FIG.1, illustrating the sling retaining assembly coupled to a shouldermounted strap, shown as a backpack strap, and retaining a shouldermounted carrying device, shown as a firearm sling.

FIG. 7 is a side elevation view of the sling retaining assembly ofFIG.1, illustrating the sling retaining assembly coupled to a shouldermounted strap, shown as a backpack strap, and retaining a shouldermounted carrying device, shown as a firearm sling.

FIG. 8 is a side elevation view of the sling retaining assembly of FIG.1, illustrating the sling retaining assembly coupled to a shouldermounted strap, shown as a backpack strap, and retaining a shouldermounted carrying device, shown as an archery bow.

FIG. 9 is an isometric view of one or more examples of embodiments of ahook portion of a sling retaining assembly.

DESCRIPTION

Referring to FIGS. 1-9, the invention generally relates to a slingretaining assembly 100 for coupling to a first device, such as ashoulder mounted strap, while engaging and/or retaining a second device,such as a shoulder mounted carrying device, The Figures illustrate oneor more examples of embodiments of sling retaining assembly 100.Although sling retaining assembly 100 is described herein for use withone or more specific shoulder mounted carrying devices, including asling for a firearm, it should be appreciated that sling retainingassembly 100 may be used with any device which may be carried on orabout shoulder of a person. The term “sling” is used herein to include acarrying strap for a firearm, such as a long gun, a long barrel rifle, ashotgun, or an assault rifle, and also may include any other devicewhich may include a shoulder mounted sling or carrying device or strapwhich may be carried over a shoulder of a person. For example, in one ormore examples of embodiments illustrated herein, sling retainingassembly 100 is illustrated as carrying and retaining an archery bow. Inaddition, while sling retaining assembly 100 is described herein forattachment, coupling, and/or use with one or more specific shouldermounted straps, including a shoulder mounted strap for a backpack, itshould be appreciated that sling retaining assembly 100 may be attached,coupled and/or used with any device which may be carried on or about oneor more shoulders of a person. To this end, shoulder mounted straps mayinclude, without limitation, straps for a backpack, hydration pack,hunting blind bag, hunting decoy bag, or any other strap adapted to becarried over one or more shoulders of a person.

FIG.1 illustrates one or more examples of embodiments of sling retainingassembly or sling keeper 100. Referring to FIG. 1, in variousembodiments, sling retaining assembly 100 may include a flexible portion120 and a hook portion or hook member 140. Flexible portion 120 mayinclude a body or strip 121. Body 121 may one or more extensions. Forexample, as shown, body 121 may include a first extension or arm 122 anda second extension or arm 123. First and second extensions 122, 123 maybe connected or integral to body 121, for example as a unitary member.In one or more examples of embodiments, connected or integral first andsecond extensions 122, 123 may be connected or attached to body 121 byany suitable process in accordance with sling retaining assembly 100 asdisclosed herein, including, but not limited to, sewing, stitching, oradhesive.

In FIG. 1, flexible portion 120 is illustrated as having a generallyrectangular shape. In one or more examples of embodiments, the body andassociated extensions or arms of the flexible portion may be any shapeor size suitable for operation in accordance with the sling retainingassembly as disclosed herein. The flexible portion may be generallyformed of a textile or other similar material of sufficient strength toengage a shoulder mounted strap, while carrying and retaining a shouldermounted sling or carrying device. For example, the flexible portion maybe formed in whole or in part of canvas, polyester, wool, nylon,polypropylene, or any other animal, plant, mineral, synthetic textile,or some combination thereof. The flexible portion may also be formed ofstretchable or elastic materials, such as, for example, LYCRA®, spandexor elastane, or any other elastic textile.

As shown in FIG. 1, flexible portion 120 includes a first side or topside or outer side 124 and a second side or bottom side or under side125. As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, first side 124 of flexible portion120 may be provided opposite second side 125 of flexible portion 120.Stated otherwise, first side 124 may be provided on a side of flexibleportion 120 opposing or facing away from second side 125.

Referring to FIG. 1, in various embodiments, flexible portion 120defines an aperture or opening or slit 126. As illustrated in FIG. 1,opening 126 may be provided through flexible portion 120,interconnecting first side 124 and second side 125. In variousembodiments, opening 126 includes a length 127 which is equal to orlarger than a width 141 of hook portion 140. To this end, opening 126may receive a portion of hook portion 140. In one or more examples ofembodiments, opening 126 may be provided through flexible portion 120 atone or more interior locations of flexible portion 120. For example, asillustrated in FIG. 1, opening 126 may be provided through flexibleportion 120 between a first edge or border 128 and a second edge orborder 129, and between a third edge or border 130 and a fourth edge orborder 131.

Referring to FIG. 3, flexible portion 120 may include a self attachmentassembly 134. Self attachment assembly 134 may provide for a portion ofthe flexible portion 120 to connect, attach or couple to another portionof flexible portion 120. As illustrated in FIG. 3, self attachmentassembly 134 provides for first extension 122 to attach, couple, orconnect to second extension 123. For example, self attachment assembly134 may include a first or male attachment portion 135 and a second orfemale attachment portion 136. Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, selfattachment assembly 134 is illustrated as a hook and loop fastener.First attachment portion 135 is illustrated as the hook portion andsecond attachment portion 136 is illustrated as the loop portion of thehook and loop fastener. In one or more examples of embodiments, thefirst attachment portion may be the loop portion and the secondattachment portion may be the hook portion of the hook and loopfastener. Further, it should be appreciated that in one or more examplesof embodiments of the sling retaining assembly, the self attachmentassembly may be a button and button hole, a snap fastener, a zipperfastener, VELCRO®, or any other suitable releasable or temporaryfastener for connecting or coupling together first and second extension122, 123 in accordance with operation of the sling retaining assembly101 as disclosed herein.

Referring again to FIG. 2, in various embodiments, first attachmentportion 135 is connected or attached to second side 125 of second arm123, and second attachment portion 136 is connected or attached to firstside 124 of first arm 122. This allows for first attachment portion 135and second attachment portion 136 to overlap, such that first and secondattachment portions 135, 136 face one another during engagement of selfattachment assembly 134 (see FIG. 3). In one or more examples ofembodiments, the first attachment portion may be connected to the firstside of the second arm and the second attachment portion may beconnected to the second side of the first arm. Further, in one or moreexamples of embodiments, the first and second attachment portions may beprovided on the same side, i.e. the first or second side, of theflexible portion depending upon the type of self attachment assemblyattached thereto. First and second attachment portions 135, 136 may beconnected or attached to respective first and second arms 122, 123 bysewing or stitching 138 (see FIG. 1). In one or more examples ofembodiments, first and second attachment portions 135, 136 may beconnected or attached to respective first and second arms 122, 123 by anadhesive or any other known or future developed attachment methodologysuitable for operation of sling retaining assembly 100 as disclosedherein.

Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, flexible portion 120 may include a stabilitystrip or ribbon 139. Stability strip 139 may be attached or connected tosecond side 125 of flexible portion 120, for example, by stitching,sewing or adhesive. Stability strip 139 may include or define an opening(not shown) for receiving a segment of hook portion 140. Stability strip139 may be formed of an elastic material, or may be formed of the sameor similar material as flexible portion 120. Stability strip 139 mayassist in connecting hook portion 140 to flexible portion 120. Inaddition, stability strip 139 may assist in providing stability to hookportion 140 during operation of sling retaining assembly 100 asdisclosed herein. In one or more examples of embodiments, stabilitystrip 139 may include a pocket or ribbon of material which extends alongthe majority of a segment of hook portion 140.

FIGS. 2 and 3 illustrate a cross-sectional view of hook portion 140. Invarious embodiments, hook portion 140 includes a first segment 142connected to a second segment 143 (e.g. by an arcuate or curved segment146). First and second segments 142, 143 may be provided approximatelyparallel to one another, forming a first pocket or compartment orretaining gap 148. First pocket 148 may include a first opening 151. Inaddition, second segment 143 may be connected to a third segment 144(e.g. by an arcuate or curved segment 147). Second and third segments143, 144 may be provided approximately parallel to one another, forminga second pocket or compartment or retaining gap 149. To this end, first,second and third segments 142, 143, 144 may be connected such that thecross-section of hook portion 140 has a serpentine or approximate“S-shape” appearance. It should be appreciated, however, that thecross-section of hook portion may have other shapes (e.g. “N-shape” or acombination of S- and N-shapes). A fourth segment or guide segment 145may be attached to first segment 142 at the end of first segment 142opposite curved segment 146. Fourth segment 145 may be provided at anangle α (theta) greater than ninety degrees (90°) or at an obtuse angleto first segment 142. In addition, fourth segment 145 may be provided toextend in a direction away from second segment 143. First, second, thirdand fourth segments 142, 143, 144, 145 may be formed as a unitary memberof material including, but not limited to, steel, aluminum, othermetals, or composite materials (e.g. plastic) with sufficient strengthand/or resilience to engage and retain a shoulder mounted carryingdevice.

As discussed above, first pocket 148 may include first opening 151. Inaddition, second pocket 149 may include a second opening 152. Firstopening 151 may be provided closer to second extension 123 than thefirst extension 122, while second opening 152 may be provided closer tofirst extension 122 than second extension 123. As such, first opening151 may be provided on an opposing side of hook portion 140 than secondopening 152. It should be appreciated that in various embodiments,however, that the first opening may be provided closer to the first armthan the second arm and the second opening may be provided closer to thesecond arm than the first arm.

Hook portion 140 may connect to, be retained by, and/or be received byflexible portion 120. As illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3, hook portion 140may be received through opening 126 in flexible portion 120. Hookportion 140 may be provided through opening 126 such that first segment142 is provided on outer side 124 of flexible portion 120 and second andthird segments 143, 144 are provided on bottom side 125 of flexibleportion 120. As such, flexible portion 120 may be received by firstpocket 148 of hook portion 140. In addition, hook portion 140 may bereceived by stability strip 139. Hook portion 140 may be providedthrough the opening (not shown) of stability strip 139 such that secondsegment 143 is received and retained by stability strip 139.

An alternative embodiment of a hook portion 160 of sling keeper 100 isshown in FIG. 4. Hook portion 160 includes features which are, in manyrespects, substantially as described herein in association with hookportion 140. Referring to FIG. 4, in this embodiment, hook portion 160includes a first segment 162 connected to a second segment 163 (e.g. byan arcuate or curved segment 166). First and second segments 162, 163may be provided approximately parallel to one another, forming a firstpocket or compartment or retaining gap 168. To this end, first andsecond segments 162, 163 may be connected such that the cross-section ofhook portion 160 has a parabolic or approximate “U-shape” or anapproximate “C-shape” appearance. A third segment or guide segment 165may be attached or coupled to first segment 162 at an end of firstsegment 162 opposite curved segment 166. Third segment 165 may beprovided at an angle α (theta) greater than ninety degrees (90°) or atan obtuse angle to first segment 162. In addition, third segment 165 maybe provided to extend in a direction away from second segment 163.First, second and third segments 162, 163, 165 may be formed as aunitary member of material including, but not limited to, steel,aluminum, other metals, or composite materials (e.g. plastic) withsufficient strength and/or resilience to engage and retain a shouldermounted carrying device.

Second segment 163 may include or be connected to a retention segment170. As illustrated in FIG. 4, retention segment 170 may be provided atan end of second segment 163 opposite curved segment 166. Retentionsegment 170 may include a first fin or wing 172 and/or an opposingsecond fin or wing (not shown). Retention segment 170 may have a width171 which is greater than a width 161 of second segment 163 and/or firstsegment 162. In addition, width 171 of retention segment 170 may begreater than the size or diameter (not shown) of the stability strip(e.g. to assist in retaining hook portion 160 in the stability strip).Further, retention portion 170 may assist in maintaining the coupling ofhook portion 160 to the flexible portion (not shown in FIG. 4).

FIG. 9 illustrates an alternative embodiment of a hook portion 180. Hookportion 180 includes features which are, in various respects,substantially as described herein in association with hook portion 140.Referring to FIG. 9, in this embodiment, hook portion 180 includes afirst segment 182 connected to a second segment 183 (e.g. by an arcuateor curved segment 186). First and second segments 182, 183 may beprovided approximately parallel to one another, helping define and/orform a first pocket or compartment or retaining gap 188. First pocket188 may include a first opening 191. In addition, second segment 183 maybe connected to a third segment 184 (e.g. by an arcuate or curvedsegment 187). Second and third segments 183, 184 may be providedapproximately parallel to one another, helping define and/or form asecond pocket or compartment or retaining gap 189. To this end, first,second and third segments 182, 183, 184 may be connected such that thecross-section of hook portion 180 has a serpentine or approximate“S-shape” appearance. It should be appreciated, however, that thecross-section of hook portion may have other shapes (e.g. “N-shape” or acombination of S- and N-shapes). A fourth segment or guide segment 185may be attached or connected to first segment 182 at the end of firstsegment 182 opposite the end of first segment 182 coupled to curvedsegment 186. Fourth segment 185 may be provided at an angle α (theta)greater than ninety degrees (90°) or at an obtuse angle to first segment182. In addition, fourth segment 185 may be provided to extend in adirection away from second segment 183. First, second, third and fourthsegments 182, 183, 184, 185 may be formed as a unitary member ofmaterial including, but not limited to, steel, aluminum, other metals,or composite materials (e.g. plastic) with sufficient strength and/orresilience to engage and retain a shoulder mounted carrying device.

As discussed above, first pocket 188 may include first opening 191. Inaddition, second pocket 189 may include a second opening 192. Firstopening 191 may be provided on an opposing side of hook portion 180 thansecond opening 192.

Hook portion 180 may include a strap engagement assembly 199. Asillustrated in FIG. 9, strap engagement assembly 199 may include a post193, at least one aperture 195 and a retaining lanyard, band, cable orelastic member 196. In various embodiments, post 193 is provided on aportion of first segment 182. Post 193 may include a head 194. Head 194preferably has a diameter which is greater than or exceeds a diameter ofpost 193. At least one aperture 195 may be provided on or defined by aportion of third segment 184. As shown in FIG. 9, a first aperture 195 aand a second aperture 195 b is provided through and defined by a portionof third segment 184. Retaining lanyard 196 may be provided in removablecommunication with post 193 and at least one aperture 195. Referringagain to FIG. 9, a portion of lanyard 196 is received by first andsecond apertures 195 a, b. A retaining member 197 is provided at a firstend of lanyard 196. Retaining member 197 may have an outer diameterwhich is larger than the diameter of one or more of apertures 195 a, b.To this end, retaining member 197 is adapted to assist in retaining aportion of lanyard 196 in one or more of apertures 195 a, b. Forexample, as illustrated in FIG. 9, retaining member 197 is a knot havinga diameter or cross-section greater than the diameter of aperture 195 a.In various embodiments, a loop 198 is provided at a second end oflanyard 196. Loop 198 is adapted to removably couple to post 193. Forexample, as illustrated in FIG. 9, loop 198 removably receives post 193.In addition, head 194 may assist in maintaining the coupling of loop 198to post 193. In various embodiments, head 194 may have an outer diameterwhich exceeds the inner diameter of loop 198 when loop 198 is providedin a resting or neutral position.

The strap engagement assembly may include or utilize other known orhereafter developed ways of releasably coupling lanyard 196 to hookportion 180. For example, it should be appreciated that in variousembodiments, the post may be provided on a portion of the third segment.Further, it should be appreciated that in one or more examples ofembodiments, one or more apertures may be provided on or defined by aportion of the first segment. In addition, in one or more examples ofembodiments, the lanyard may have a bias or elasticity to allow thelanyard to stretch or elongate about different sized shoulder mountedstraps which may be received in the second opening. In one or moreexamples of embodiments, the retaining member may be spherical,triangular, polygonal or any other known shape. Further, in one or moreexamples of embodiments the retaining member may be a cap, clip or otherdevice coupled to the retaining member formed of stainless steel,plastic, die cast aluminum, composite material or any other known andsuitable material. In various embodiments, the loop may be a band, amember having an eyelet or aperture, or any other device adapted toremovably receive the post. In addition, in various embodiments, theloop may have a bias or elasticity to allow the loop to stretch orelongate about the post, yet subsequently relax or retract such that theinner diameter of the loop is less than the outer diameter of the headof the post. In one or more examples of embodiments, the lanyard, loopand/or retaining member may be a unitary member formed of polyester,nylon, satin, silk, polyethylene terephthalate, or any other naturalfiber, synthetic fiber or other suitable material. It should beappreciated that while the embodiment of hook portion 180 is illustratedfor use exclusive of flexible portion 120, in various embodiments,flexible portion 120 may be adapted to engage with and/or operate withhook portion 180 in accordance with the disclosure provided herein.

FIG. 5 illustrates sling retaining assembly 100 in one or more examplesof operation and use. As shown in FIG. 5, in various embodiments, slingretaining assembly 100 is coupled or connected to a shoulder mountedstrap 200, illustrated in FIG. 5 as a shoulder strap for a backpack. Inaddition, sling retaining assembly 100 is adapted to receive andreleasably retain a shoulder mounted carrying device 210. As shown inFIG. 5, the hook portion 140 receives and retains a portion of shouldermounted carrying device 210, illustrated in FIG. 5 as a sling for arifle. While hook portion 140 is specifically illustrated, it should beappreciated that hook portion 160 may be substituted for the discussionherein without departing from the scope of the present invention.

FIG. 5 illustrates the sling retaining assembly 100 as coupled orconnected to a shoulder mounted strap 200, shown as the left shoulderstrap of a user's backpack. The shoulder mounted strap 200 is providedbetween a user's head 220 and a user's shoulder 230 (e.g. the user'sleft shoulder). It should be appreciated that in one or more examples ofembodiments, and as illustrated in FIGS. 6-8, sling retaining assembly100 may be coupled or connected to a shoulder mounted strap 200 intendedor adapted for a user's right shoulder, for example the right shoulderstrap of a backpack. As illustrated in FIGS. 6-8, in variousembodiments, sling retaining assembly 100 is coupled or attached to ashoulder mounted strap 200 provided between the user's head 220 and theuser's right shoulder 240. In addition, FIGS. 6-8 illustrate examples ofadditional or alternative shoulder mounted carrying devices 210. FIG. 6illustrates a shoulder mounted carrying device 210 which is a sling fora firearm, specifically a hunting rifle. FIG. 7 illustrates a shouldermounted carrying device 210 which is a sling for a firearm, specificallya shotgun. FIG. 8 illustrates a shoulder mounted carrying device 210which is an archery bow. The shoulder mounted carrying device 210 forthe archery bow may be a sling for the bow, a bow string, or other knownmethodologies or apparatuses known or later developed for carrying anarchery bow.

Referring again to FIG. 2, in operation and use, a user may initiallyplace the sling retaining assembly 100 in communication with a firstdevice, such as shoulder mounted strap 200. The user may place theshoulder mounted strap 200, illustrated as a backpack shoulder strap200, into second retaining gap 149. The user may then couple or connectthe sling retaining assembly 100 to shoulder mounted strap 200 byengaging self attachment assembly 134. For example, as illustrated inFIG. 3, the user may wrap flexible portion 120 (e.g, first arm 122)around a portion of shoulder mounted strap 200. Subsequently, the usermay wrap flexible portion 120 (e.g. second arm 123) around a portion ofshoulder mounted strap 200, such that first and second attachmentportions 135, 136 are aligned to engage one another. Further, first andsecond arms 122, 123 may be wrapped about shoulder mounted strap 200with sufficient tension or tightness such that flexible portion 120 mayassist in retaining shoulder mounted strap 200 in sling retainingassembly 100 and/or may assist in maintaining sling retaining assembly100 in a predetermined or desired location along shoulder mounted strap200. In one or more examples of embodiments, sling retaining assembly100 may be placed in operative communication or attached to a shouldermounted strap 200 while a user is not wearing shoulder mounted strap 200or while the user is wearing shoulder mounted strap 200.

FIG. 5 illustrates sling retaining assembly 100 coupled, attached orconnected to a first device, e.g. shoulder mounted strap 200. Once slingretaining assembly 100 is coupled to shoulder mounted strap 200, a usermay place shoulder mounted strap 200 about a shoulder of the user. Inone or more examples of embodiments, shoulder mounted strap 200 isalready placed about the shoulder of the user. Sling retaining assembly100 may then receive and/or temporarily retain a second device, such asshoulder mounted carrying device 210. It should be appreciated that oncesling retaining assembly 100 is coupled to shoulder mounted strap 200and shoulder mounted strap 200 is provided about the shoulder of a user,sling retaining assembly 100 is preferably provided such that firstsegment 142 of hook member 140 extends from curved segment 146 towardthe user. Stated otherwise, curved segment 146 may be provided closer tothe shoulder of a user than first segment 142 and/or fourth segment 145of hook member 140. Accordingly, in various embodiments, opening 151 tofirst retaining gap 148 is provided further away from the shoulder ofthe user than curved segment 146. In addition, it should be appreciatedthat sling retaining assembly 100 may be coupled to different shouldermounted straps 200 (e.g. the left shoulder or right shoulder straps) byrotating sling retaining assembly 100 (e.g. approximately one hundredand eighty degrees (180°) about an axis substantially perpendicular to aface of body 121), such that curved segment 146 may be provided closerto the shoulder of a user than first segment 142 and/or fourth segment145 of hook member 140. Stated otherwise, opening 151 to first retaininggap 148 of hook member 140 may be provided closer to head 220 of theuser than curved segment 146 of hook member 140.

A user may then removably connect or engage a second device (e.g. ashoulder mounted carrying device 210) with sling retaining assembly 100.As shown in FIG. 5, a user may place shoulder mounted carrying device210, illustrated in FIG. 5 as a sling for a firearm, around or about theshoulder of the user. Shoulder mounted carrying device 210 is preferablyplaced around or about the same shoulder or side of the user in whichthe sling retaining assembly 100 is provided. However, shoulder mountedcarrying device 210 may be provided around or about either shoulder. Theuser may place a portion of sling 210 into first retaining gap 148 ofhook member 140. A portion of sling 210 may be retained in firstretaining gap 148 between first segment 142 and outer side 124 of body121 of flexible portion 120 (see FIGS. 2 and 3). During placement ofsling 210 into first retaining gap 148, guide segment 145 may assist inguiding or directing sling 210 into first retaining gap 148. Forexample, by being provided at an angle α (theta) to first segment 142, aportion of a sling 210 may contact guide segment 145 and subsequently bedeflected or directed toward or into first retaining gap 148.

In various embodiments, once sling 210 is received by sling keeper 100,the user may move, scale or traverse terrain while carrying at least twodevices on a single shoulder. For example, the user may carry both ashoulder mounted device having shoulder mounted strap 200, for example abackpack, and a second shoulder mounted device having a shoulder sling210, for example a firearm having a sling, on a single shoulder. Slingkeeper 100 is adapted to retain the second shoulder mounted devicehaving sling 210. For example, sling 210 may have difficulty slidingand/or falling off the shoulder of the user.

The user may remove or disengage sling 210 from sling keeper 100 bywithdrawing sling 210 from first retaining gap 148. Guide segment 145may assist in easing removal of sling 210 from sling keeper 100. Forexample, by being provided at an angle α (theta) to first segment 142,sling 210 may be more easily removed or disengaged from sling keeper100. In addition, the user may remove sling keeper 100 from shoulderstrap 200 of the first shoulder mounted device by disengaging selfattachment assembly 134, unwrapping first and second arms 122, 123 fromaround shoulder strap 200, and removing shoulder strap 200 from secondretaining gap 149. Sling keeper 100 is then free to be connected orreconnected to a shoulder mounted strap 200.

It should be appreciated that in using one or more examples ofembodiments of sling keeper 100 having hook portion 160 (as shown inFIG. 4), the steps above may be repeated except for the steps relatingto engagement of shoulder mounted strap 200 with second retaining gap149. This is because hook portion 160 does not include a secondretaining gap 149.

It should be appreciated that in operation and use of one or moreexamples of embodiments of sling keeper 100 having hook portion 180 (asshown in FIG. 9), the user may place shoulder mounted strap 200 intosecond retaining gap 189. The user may then couple sling retainingassembly 100 to shoulder mounted strap 200 by engaging strap engagementassembly 199. For example, referring to FIG. 9, the user may wraplanyard 196 about or around a portion of shoulder mounted strap 200received by second retaining gap 189. Subsequently, the user may coupleloop 198 with post 193. For example, loop 198 may receive post 193. Inaddition, loop 198 may be initially stretched to receive head 194 andsubsequently relaxed upon receipt of post 193. To this end, once relaxedand coupled to post 193, loop 198 may have an inner diameter which isless than the outer diameter of head 194. This results in sling keeper100, and specifically hook portion 180, being placed in operativecommunication to shoulder mounted strap 200. The steps above associatedwith coupling a second device (e.g. a shoulder mounted carrying device210) with sling retaining assembly 100 may be repeated with hook portion180 to place the second device 210 in operative communication with hookportion 180.

There are several advantages to the disclosed sling retaining assembly.The sling retaining assembly is adaptable to attach or couple tonumerous types of shoulder mounted straps. For example, the slingretaining assembly may attach to a strap for a backpack, hydration pack,hunting blind bag, hunting decoy bag, or any other strap adapted to beprovided and/or carried over one or more shoulders of a person. Thisprovides for use of the sling retaining assembly with numerous types ofdevices or products which may be carried about the shoulder of a user.

In addition, the sling retaining assembly is adapted to receive numerousand various types of shoulder mounted carrying devices. For example, thesling retaining assembly may receive and retain a sling for a firearm,including a carrying strap for a long gun, a long barrel rifle, ashotgun, or an assault rifle, a strap for a canteen, a strap for a waterbag or sack, a strap or string for an archery bow, or any other shouldermounted sling or carrying device or strap which may be carried over ashoulder of a user. This provides for use of the sling retainingassembly with numerous types of devices or products which may be carriedand retained about the shoulder of a user while a user also carries aprimary or another device having a shoulder mounted strap.

In addition, the sling retaining assembly is adjustable and/or removableafter installation. The associated hook portion and/or self attachmentassembly of the sling retaining assembly provide for the sling retainingassembly to be temporarily, removably, and/or adjustably connected to ashoulder mounted strap of a device. A user may adjust or reposition thesling retaining assembly during use (e.g. to improve comfort) and/orremove the sling retaining assembly from a shoulder mounted strap afteruse. Further, a user may attach the sling retaining assembly to another,separate shoulder mounted strap of a device, including, for example, asecond shoulder mounted strap of a device (i.e. the left shoulder strapor right shoulder strap) or a shoulder mounted strap of a separatedevice.

In addition, the sling retaining assembly should not alter orpermanently damage or distort the shoulder mounted strap to which thesling retaining assembly is attached. The sling retaining assembly andassociated hook portion and/or self attachment assembly does not requireinstallation of any components which may permanently alter, damage,distort or disfigure the shoulder mounted strap of a device foroperation.

In addition, the sling retaining assembly should not alter orpermanently damage or distort the sling or shoulder mounted carryingdevice of a device which is received and retained by the sling retainingassembly. The sling retaining assembly and associated hook portion doesnot require installation of any components which may permanently alter,damage, distort or disfigure the sling or shoulder mounted carryingdevice for operation.

In addition, the sling retaining assembly is adapted to he usedeffectively on either side of a user. For example, a device carried by auser may include two shoulder mounted straps, one to be carried on theright shoulder of a user and one to be carried on the left shoulder of auser. The sling retaining assembly may be connected to either shouldermounted strap by rotating the sling retaining assembly approximately onehundred and eighty degrees (180°) before attachment. Further, more thanone sling retaining assembly may be coupled to one or both shoulders.

In addition, the sling retaining assembly provides for the improved safeshoulder carrying by a user of a first and/or primary device, forexample a backpack, and a second and/or secondary device, for example afirearm. The sling retaining assembly reduces the risk of the secondarydevice falling off the shoulder of the user. In situations where thesecondary device is a loaded firearm, the sling retaining assembly mayreduce the risk of an unintentional discharge of the firearm should thefirearm fall off the shoulder of the user.

In addition, the sling retaining assembly lessens the risk of damage toa shoulder carried secondary device, for example a firearm, when carriedby a user with a primary device, for example a backpack, carried on thesame shoulder. The sling retaining assembly reduces the risk of thesecondary device falling off the shoulder of the user. This lessens therisk of damage to the secondary device caused by dropping the secondarydevice should the secondary device fall off the shoulder of the user.

In addition, the sling retaining assembly is adjustable about a shouldermounted strap during use. A user may adjust or reposition the slingretaining assembly about one or more shoulder mounted straps during use,for example to improve the comfort of the user or to improve the postureof the user.

It should be appreciated in various embodiments that the sling retainingassembly may be provided within or integrally formed with one or moreshoulder mounted straps of a device. For example, the sling retainingassembly or associated hook members may be provided or formed in theshoulder mounted straps of a backpack or other known or future developeddevice during the manufacturing process of the shoulder mounted straps.

Although various representative embodiments of this invention have beendescribed above with a certain degree of particularity, those skilled inthe art could make numerous alterations to the disclosed embodimentswithout departing from the spirit or scope of the inventive subjectmatter set forth in the specification and claims. Joinder references(e.g., attached, coupled, connected) are to be construed broadly and mayinclude intermediate members between a connection of elements andrelative movement between elements. As such, joinder references do notnecessarily infer that two elements are directly connected and in fixedrelation to each other. In some instances, in methodologies directly orindirectly set forth herein, various steps and operations are describedin one possible order of operation, but those skilled in the art willrecognize that steps and operations may be rearranged, replaced, oreliminated without necessarily departing from the spirit and scope ofthe present invention. In addition, in some instances, in methodologiesdirectly or indirectly set forth herein, various steps and operationsare described in one possible order of operation, but those skilled inthe art will recognize that steps and operations may be rearranged,replaced, or eliminated without necessarily departing from the spiritand scope of the present invention. It is intended that all mattercontained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawingsshall be interpreted as illustrative only and not limiting. Changes indetail or structure may be made without departing from the spirit of theinvention as defined in the appended claims.

1. A sling keeper comprising: a flexible body having an outer side, anunder side, a self attachment assembly connected to the flexible body,and defining an aperture provided through the flexible body, wherein afirst portion of the self attachment assembly is connected to the outerside of the flexible body and a second portion of the self attachmentassembly is connected to the under side of the flexible body; and a hookmember at least partially received by the aperture defined by theflexible body, the hook member having a first segment connected to asecond segment, the first and second segments forming a retaining gap,wherein a portion of the flexible body is received by the retaining gap.2. The sling keeper of claim 1, wherein the self attachment assemblyincludes a hook and loop fastener, the hook fastener is connected to theouter side of the flexible body and the loop fastener is connected tothe under side of the flexible body.
 3. The sling keeper of claim 1,wherein the hook member is a unitary member.
 4. The sling keeper ofclaim 1, wherein the flexible body includes a first extension and asecond extension, the first portion of the self attachment assembly isconnected to the first extension and the second portion of the selfattachment assembly is connected to the second extension.
 5. The slingkeeper of claim 4, further comprising a third segment connected to thesecond segment of the hook member, the second and third segments forminga second retaining gap.
 6. The sling keeper of claim 5, wherein theretaining gap has an opening facing the first extension and the secondretaining gap has an opening facing the second extension.
 7. The slingkeeper of claim 6, wherein the first, second and third segments of thehook member have a serpentine profile.
 8. The sling keeper of claim 7,wherein the first, second and third segments of the hook member have anS-shaped profile.
 9. The sling keeper of claim 1, further comprising astability strip connected to the under side of the flexible body,wherein the stability strip receives a portion of the second segment ofthe hook member.
 10. The sling keeper of claim 9, wherein the secondsegment includes a retention segment having a first wing and a secondwing opposite the first wing, the retention segment having a first widthwhich is greater than a second width of the second segment.
 11. A slingretaining assembly adapted for helping carry a plurality of devices on asingle shoulder of a person comprising: a flexible strip having a firstside and a second side, the flexible strip including a body portionconnected to a first arm and a second arm, an aperture provided throughand defined by the body portion connecting the first side and secondside, and a self attachment assembly having a first attachment portionand a second attachment portion, the first attachment portion connectedto the first side of the first arm and the second attachment portionconnected to the second side of the second arm; and a hook memberreceived by the aperture of the flexible strip, the hook member having afirst segment connected to a second segment to form a first pocket,wherein the first pocket receives a portion of the body of the flexiblestrip.
 12. The sling retaining assembly of claim 11, wherein the firstsegment of the hook member is provided on the first side of the flexiblestrip and the second segment of the hook member is provided on thesecond side of the flexible strip.
 13. The sling retaining assembly ofclaim 12, wherein the hook member includes a third segment connected tothe second segment to form a second pocket adapted to receive a portionof a shoulder mounted strap.
 14. The sling retaining assembly of claim13, wherein the first pocket has a first opening provided closer to thefirst arm than the second arm, and the second pocket has an openingprovided closer to the second arm than the first arm.
 15. The slingretaining assembly of claim 14, wherein the first attachment portion isa hook fastener and the second attachment portion is a correspondingloop fastener.
 16. A method of carrying a plurality of devices on asingle shoulder of a person comprising: attaching a sling retainingassembly about a shoulder mounted strap of a first device by wrapping afirst arm of the sling retaining assembly about the shoulder mountedstrap of the first device, wrapping a second arm of the sling retainingassembly about the shoulder mounted strap of the first device, andengaging the self attachment assembly connecting the first arm andsecond arm; placing the shoulder mounted strap of the first device abouta first shoulder of a person; placing a shoulder mounted carrying slingof a second device about the first shoulder of the person; and engagingthe shoulder mounted carrying sling of the second device with the slingretaining assembly by placing the shoulder mounted carrying sling of thesecond device into a first retaining gap formed by a first segmentconnected to a second segment of a hook member of the sling retainingassembly, such that the shoulder mounted carrying sling of the seconddevice is retained between the first segment and a flexible body of thesling retaining assembly.
 17. The method of carrying a plurality ofdevices on a single shoulder of a person of claim 16, wherein attachinga sling retaining assembly about a shoulder mounted strap of a firstdevice further comprises: engaging the shoulder mounted strap of thefirst device with a second retaining gap formed by the second segmentconnected to a third segment of a hook member, such that the shouldermounted strap of the first device is received between the second segmentand third segment of the sling retaining assembly.